The United States has 19 goals in five Gold Cup games, an antidote for the anemic American offense that marked the beginning of the Jurgen Klinsmann era. The U.S. team, which tallied only four goals in the first five games of this critical pre-World Cup year, beat Honduras 3-1 on Wednesday to advance to Sunday's final against Panama in Chicago.

But the Gold Cup is just a secondary tournament, against limited competition, and has nothing to do with the ultimate goal and the looming challenge ahead. The big question isn't who can help the U.S. team win the Gold Cup but: Who will play for the United States, when it really counts, in next year's World Cup in Brazil?

Wondolowski is the longer shot, though his chances are better than they were before the Gold Cup started. He's gotten an opportunity and he's made the most of it, even if he hasn't perhaps received enough respect. (He scored a hat trick against Belize in a jersey with his name misspelled).

Wondolowski didn't start against Honduras, coming in to replace Donovan in the 72nd minute. His presence up top has given the Americans options at forward and put pressure on opposing defenses. However, his opportunity is coming largely because of the absences of Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, who are not participating in the Gold Cup but will be back for the final four games of World Cup qualifying in September and October. And Wondolowski may be hurt by the re-emergence of speedy Eddie Johnson, who is also having a strong Gold Cup.

Whether Wondolowski gets a chance to help clinch a World Cup berth this fall and prove that he belongs in the group that will travel to Brazil remains to be seen.

The real eye-opener has been Donovan, making his return to the national team after a prolonged absence. Donovan has been nothing short of brilliant, appearing rejuvenated, dictating the flow of the game and working his creative magic.

Donovan and Klinsmann have a rift to heal and it seems like it's getting there.

Klinsmann described Donovan's performance as "wonderful to watch." He also made it clear he's holding Donovan to very high standards: Donovan's own.

"I have told him your benchmark is the best Landon Donovan ever," Klinsmann said. "I'm not taking anything less than that. And he is trying to catch up with that. Give him more games. Give him time."

Klinsmann didn't confirm that Donovan has clinched a spot on the roster for the remaining World Cup qualifiers, though it seems like a no-brainer. Donovan has been the best player in the United States since he burst on the scene at the 2002 World Cup when he was just 20. Now 31, Donovan has ceded his mantle as "Best American Player" to Dempsey. But he is still a vital part of the team, with fantastic touch and a calm, organizing presence. That is, as long as he's engaged.

His almost yearlong absence from the team came from his desire to take a break from soccer. Clearly that didn't sit well with Klinsmann, who - 18 months before the biggest tournament on the globe - wanted to see a fire and commitment from all his players. Some of Klinsmann's feeling about Donovan might stem from his experience with Donovan at Bayern Munich in Germany in 2009, when Klinsmann coached him in a failed union of Donovan and one of the world's premier clubs.

This summer Donovan seems re-energized. But there's a trust factor that needs to be rebuilt.

But that's the problem. The Gold Cup is more relaxing. More enjoyable. The competition is not as stiff. No one knows that better than Klinsmann, who dismissed his regional competition last spring, after the team was trounced 4-2 by Belgium.

"We want to play teams like Belgium," Klinsmann said, noting how much there is to take out of games against difficult opponents. "When you lose to them it's not such a big pleasure, but I'd rather play Belgium 10 more times than El Salvador for the 100th time. Because that's where you learn."

As if to prove Klinsmann's point, the U.S. team beat El Salvador 5-1 in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. And probably didn't learn a lot in the process.

Qualifying for the World Cup and then playing in Brazil against the world's best won't be relaxing. It will be hard work. And which players Klinsmann and the United States can count on is still open for debate.